Universal names Nachsin worldwide GM of Spinefarm Records

Universal Music has appointed Jonas Nachsin as worldwide general manager of hard rock and metal label Spinefarm Records.

According to UMG, the label will “significantly increase its investment in A&R and build its teams in the US and Europe”.

Founded in Finland in 1990, Spinefarm has been part of Universal Music since 2002.

Spinefarm Records executives Dante Bonutto (UK), Leo Nicholas (UK) and Luis Alvarenga (US) will now report to Nachsin, while Nachsin, who is based in New York, will in turn report to Universal Music’s president of global marketing Andrew Kronfeld.

The staff of Spinefarm in Finland will continue to report into Universal Music Finland managing director Jarkko Nordlund, and Nachsin will work closely with Nordlund to coordinate the Finnish label’s roster.

“Hard rock and metal is such a dynamic area of music, with so many passionate bands and even more passionate fans, and we have very ambitious plans for Spinefarm Records,” said Kronfield.

“Nobody knows this part of the business as well as Jonas and so we are delighted that he has joined our team so we can grow Spinefarm and make it the most vibrant and trusted label in heavy rock music.”

Nachsin added: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build Spinefarm Records into a world class destination for rock and metal artists.

“There is an energetic and dedicated group of people at the label already, and we'll be expanding our staff as we reach out to the artist community to begin new partnerships, as well as working hard on the roster we now have. I’m looking forward to working with Andrew Kronfeld, an executive whom I greatly admire, and the new Caroline set-up to drive this company forward.”

After holding a number of senior marketing and sales roles at Roadrunner and Island Records, Nachsin was appointed president of Roadrunner Records in the US in 2000.

As head of the label, he oversaw its expansion and global success with artists including Nickelback, Slipknot, Stone Sour, Killswitch Engage, Theory Of A Deadman, Rush, KoRn, Machine Head, Dream Theater, Trivium and many more.